Mudeford (Southern Aphelion)
August 4
Due to tides the first start will be at 10 am (briefing at 9:30). There will be 3 races. This is the first day of Mudeford Week, so we will be racing alongside other classes. This is a longstanding arrangement which works well.
The clubhouse is in a converted Dutch barge. Tides govern the race times, and when the tide is in there is a very large area of water available in Christchurch Harbour which enables long courses, and the winds are usually very consistent.
There is no parking available at the club, so dinghies need to be unloaded in the road alongside the local park and wheeled along the approach road to the launching point.
Details of the Comet Open (including online entry) may be found on the Club’s webpages:
https://www.mudefordsc.org/comet-open/
Finding Mudeford Sailing Club
Launching is from the small public slipway (where the club also has a small compound) at the end of Argyle Road. As you drive through Mudeford on Stanpit, Argyle Road is on your right. However, Argyle road has double yellow lines. Parking is available on Ledbury Road, which is on your left as you drive through Mudeford – just before both the cricket pitch (also on the left) and Argyle Road on the right. It is feasible to park in Ledbury road and walk the boat down Argyle Road to the slipway.
Mudeford Sailing Club is 100 metres along the footpath at the bottom or Argyle Road (on the left). Once the tide is high enough you can sail around to the club moorings.
Due to the tides the start time for the Open varies from year to year, so may be earlier or later than typical – check before you go. You should also allow extra time to get the boat to the slipway and sail around to the club. Again because of the tides, Mudeford always start on time – they can’t wait for those running late!